Indian Muslims protest China’s detention of Uighur Muslims

Indian Muslims shout slogans during a protest against the Chinese government, in Mumbai, India, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Nearly 150 Indian Muslims held a street protest in Mumbai, India's financial capital, demanding that China stop detaining thousands of members of minority Uighur Muslim ethnic group in detention and political indoctrination centers in Xinjiang region. Placards read "Chinese government must stop atrocities on Muslims," front, and "Indian government must put diplomatic pressure on China," top left. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

MUMBAI, India (AP) — About 150 Muslims protested in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on Friday to demand that China stop detaining thousands of minority Uighur Muslims in camps and political indoctrination centers in its Xinjiang…

MUMBAI, India (AP) — About 150 Muslims protested in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on Friday to demand that China stop detaining thousands of minority Uighur Muslims in camps and political indoctrination centers in its Xinjiang region.

The protesters chanted “Down with China'” as they demonstrated outside a mosque after Friday noon prayers.

An organizer, Mohammed Saeed Nori, accused China of detaining many Muslims in camps and “snatching their religious freedom.”

China has tightened restrictions over the instruction of Islam and the Uighur language in an effort to assimilate the minority group into the Chinese mainstream, which is dominated by the Han ethnic group. It says the process will bring economic benefits to Xinjiang’s poor people.

China has denied operating the camps and said it is taking necessary measures to fight terrorism, religious extremism and separatism.